MoSE aims to promote active European citizenship by a bottom-up and glocal strategy, with a special emphasis on the value of solidarity - a value which seems to be even more important in the current time of pandemic.
Implementing and promoting a more social EU is indeed key to the very survival of the European project itself, which is facing a severe crisis of legitimacy in several Member States. Not only the economic costs, but also the human and social costs of the 2008-09 crisis and of the recent pandemic were huge and borne by the most vulnerable exposed groups. This has resulted in both an increase in inequality, and in the weakening of social rights. As a consequence, the EU has drawn attention – e.g. adopting the EU Pillar of Social Rights in 2017 and a number of other measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak – to the importance of strengthening human and social rights approach to societal development in EU not as a luxury for good times, but as a shared compass necessary for living together in equality and dignity. MoSE will contribute to develop and disseminate this approach.
MoSE is based on a combination of information and dissemination activities, and will have the team of the School of International Studies of the University of Trento (UniTrento) as main actor, in partnership with other research institutions and local schools.
In addition to academic events and research seminars, attention will be paid to actively involve young people - high school and university students in particular - , and listen to their voices.
The only hope for Europe to survive lies in the commitment of its youngest citizens who, in spite of an increasing uncertainty about their future, keep on reserving to the EU project their attention.
With 42% of the 16/18-24 year old citizens voting in the last European elections, their participation rose by 50%, compared to the youth turnout of only 28% in 2014.
However, high youth absenteeism remains significant, and, together with the rise of populism, bears witness to the importance of developing innovative strategies to nurture the commitment of young citizens to the EU project.
Moreover, high school teachers will be targeted. Starting from 2020 Italy has introduced civic education as a new, compulsory, subject. By offering to high school teachers a refreshment course on the history of European integration and EU citizenship, and co- designing educational resources on civic education, MoSE will contribute to shape the curriculum in civic education and strengthen the European dimension of high school programmes.
A high-visibility event addressing policy makers in the field of education and sharing best practices in civic education will complete MoSE action.
MoSE - Enhancing European Citizenship. Towards a More Social Europe (2020 - 2023)
by Michele Nicoletti